WELFARE
Free School Meals for Kids: Which States Offer Them?
Kids are returing to school amidst ever-increasing food prices. Which states help with the burden by offering free lunches?
At the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, the federal government expanded a policy to allow schools to provide meals at no cost to all students, regardless of your income.
This measure was in effect for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. Though Congress did not extend the policy for the 2022-23 school year, several states have passed laws to continue offering free school meals.
Which States Offer Them?
Currently, ten states have passed laws to provide free meals for all students: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Vermont, Nevada, and Massachusetts.
In California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont, the free meals program has been approved permanently, while in Connecticut, Nevada, and Massachusetts, free meals are temporary.
California
California has had universal free school meals since the start of the covid-19 pandemic. The policy became permanent in the 2022-2023 school year.
Both breakfast and lunch are provided to students in grades K-12 in all public and charter schools, regardless of financial circumstances.
Colorado
Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, Colorado will begin offering public schools the option of providing free school breakfasts and lunches to students.
Connecticut
This week, Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker announced that for the 2023-2024 school year, students will once again have access to nutritious breakfasts and lunches at no cost.
Massachusetts
Governor Maura Healey recently made it official: Massachusetts public school students in grades K-12 will be eligible for free lunches regardless of their financial status.
Michigan
The State of Michigan will offer free meals to all public school students starting this school year. Breakfasts and lunches are only budgeted for this year, so the fund will need to be replenished in the future to keep the program running.
Minnesota
In March 2023, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed legislation into law providing free breakfast and lunch to students at participating schools, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. Schools that are eligible must participate in the USDA National School Lunch Program.
Maine
Maine public schools offer free school lunches and breakfasts. The permanent law took effect in the 2022-2023 school year.
Snowfall
The Nevada State Assembly passed a bill to provide breakfast and lunch to students in schools statewide in the 2023-24 school year. The proposal also allocates funds to extend free school meals in the 2024-25 academic year.
New Mexico
New Mexico was the fifth state to establish universal free school meals. The law was signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in March 2023.
Vermont
On 14 June, 2023, Governor Phil Scott allowed it into law to provide free school meals to all students, despite opposing and not signing the bill.